Clueless about the English Premier League or also known as EPL? Don't worry because we got you covered! Despite being a massive phenomenon in England, only hard core fans have a general idea of the premier league teams, and understanding of the league gets sparse when you leave England.
Set up
The league includes 20 teams - 19 English and 1 Welsh team playing 38 matches. The EPL commences every year and it is ranked at number four among the professional sports leagues in the world with an approximate gain of 5,297 € million.
Origins
This central English season in Football has been running since the 90’s with a constant increasing popularity. However, it hasn’t always been the case, the low point in the 80’s was peaked when English clubs were banned from playing in European competitions after the Heysel Stadium Disaster which saw 39 deaths and 600 injuries. This devastating event led to an attempt to rebuild the English football legacy. In 1992, the league held its first season with 22 members including all the current big football names.
The Teams
Arsenal
Liverpool
Bournemouth
Manchester City
Brighton
Manchester United
Hove Albion
Newcastle United
Burnley
Southampton
Chelsea
Stoke City
Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur
Everton
Watford
Huddersfield Town
West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City
West Ham United
The “Top Four”
There are four English teams that are recognised worldwide. Fans around the globe support these English teams with a fervour presented through jerseys, football mugs.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are the main teams that has constantly topped the English Premier League Table. They would qualify for the European competition and managed to raise popularity and awareness, improving the reputation of the English Football teams worldwide.
Most Championship
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The title of most Championships won goes to Manchester United with 13 wins in total. Nicknamed the “red devils” they are one of the most popular football teams in the world with an average value of 3.1 billion. It is no surprise that Manchester United has been predicted to win the 2018/2019 championship.
Leicester
Picture Credit: The Comeback
This year the Premier League kicks off on the 10th of August at 8pm. The first match will feature Leicester City and Man United. As this highly anticipated season for football approaches, the estimates and stats have begun and predictions are high. Football fans predict the outcomes of the match based on the teams performance during the year and star football players who have proven themselves.
Now that you have a basic understanding of the English Premier League, pick a team, buy the memorabilia, wear the jersey and get ready to cheer for your team!...

Football is an international sport that transcends religion, ethnicities and nationalities. So, Muslim Footballers are far and wide. Some surprises may be found as you read through the players! Whilst others will openly perform Sajdah after a goal, or their social media and popularity have given it away. Here are the short stories of 10 Muslim footballers.
1. Mesut Ozil
Picture Credit: 101 Great Goals
Nationality: Germany and TurkishTeams: Arsenal, GermanyPosition: Attacking Midfielder
Football Story
Starting young in German teams, his first team career ended badly when he fell out with the club Manager of Schalke 04. This led to his defining role in Werder Bremen where his role as a key playmaker allowed him to gain fame, he was declared "best player of the first half of the season". This allowed his big move to the team of Real Madrid which was important as a rising skillful player he required a famous team. After 3 seasons, Arsene Wenger played a key role in convincing Ozil to come play for Arsenal. This move was hated by his Real Madrid co-players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, "He was the player who best knew my moves in front of goal ... I'm angry about Özil leaving.” Ozil has since become synonymous with Arsenal being signed on till 2021.
He is known for being a German Turkish player proud of his heritage and religion. He has stated in interviews that he recites Quran before every game and this habit is respected by his team-mates who know not to disturb him. In an interview he explained, "My technique and feeling for the ball is the Turkish side to my game. The discipline, attitude and always-give-your-all is the German part."
2. Franck Ribery
Picture Credit: FC Bayern Munich
Nationality: FranceTeams: Bayern Munchen, FrancePosition: ​Winger, Left Side
Football Story
He began playing at the age of 6. At the age of 13 he joined the professional outfit of Lille, he left for the biggest club in the city of Boulogne, US Boulogne, after a few moves in 2005 he joined Marseille on a 5 year contract. His style of play "fast, tricky, and an excellent dribbler who has great control with the ball at his feet" gained him recognition and fame for his left sided play. His current role in Bayern Munich has proven to be long-standing as his career with the German club started in 2007 and has been contracted till 2019. Although, his international career with the French team has ended due to “purely personal” reasons in 2014, he has continued to persevere with Bayern Munich despite injuries.
Ribery married a French national of Algerian Descent and converted to Islam, adopting the name Bilal Yusuf Mohamed. In addition, to conversion, Ribery has opened a non-alcoholic bar in attempts to fight alcohol addiction, he named the bar after his 2 daughters.
3. Demba Ba
Picture Credit: Goal.com
Nationality: SenegalTeams: Senegal and Shanghai ShenhuaPosition: Striker
Football Story
Although his career started in France, Demba gained fame when he joined famous English teams such as West Ham United, Newcastle United and Chelsea. He left Chelsea earlier than his contract deadline due to the arrival of Diego Costa another striker. This time his move was more than over the English Channel and he joined a Turkish team Beşiktaş, he moved on to China a year later to join Shanghai Shenhua and has become a key player scoring 6 goals in 11 games including a hat-trick. He won the titles of 2015 Chinese FA Cup Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer.
Born Muslim due to the majority of muslims in West-Africa, Demba performs Sujud on the pitch as a celebration of goals and observes fasts during the Islamic month of Ramadan.
4. Islam Feruz
Picture Credit: We Ain't Got No History
Nationality: British, Somali, TanzaniaTeams: Chelsea and ScotlandPosition: Forward
Football Story
From a Somali family who migrated to Yemen and Tanzania to escape the violence and war, he joined the Celtic club and they helped him to stay in the country and move into an expensive flat. His first match was at the age of 14. He moved to Chelsea in 2011 but it was in 2014 that a long-term contract was signed, however through his career he has been loaned to many teams for specific seasons and games.
Born in a Muslim country and being educated in Scotland’s most racially diverse schools Hillhead High School, he has had the chance to practice his religion freely. His name is a great hint to his religion.
5. Paul Pogba
Picture Credit: LE BUZZ
Nationality: FrenchTeams: France, Manchester UnitedPosition: Central Midfielder (sometimes Attacking Midfielder, Defensive Midfielder)
Football Story
Known as a midfielder player, his capability of playing left, in holding and even attacking shows a versatility only a few football players hold. He's known for his long legs which work quick and has a powerful and accurate striking ability. His career began in the national youth football team. He was destined for greatness when he captained the team at just 16, then later for the under 20 team. His senior career debut was in 2013 when he played the full 90 minutes and gained a reputation for being a team player and eventually won the FIFA tournament’s Best Young Player. Recently during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he scored the winning goal in France’s game against Australia.
Recently, social media blew up for football fans when Pogba uploaded pictures of him in a Mosque near a charity box and also holding a Qur’an in-front of the holy Ka’bah. Reports claim that his mother was the one who introduced him to Islam years ago and this inspiring woman was the one that keep her sons away from the drugs that surrounded their home in Roissy-en-Brie, pushing Pogba to pursue his football career. At 24, the young Muslim player has a huge amount of thanks for his mother.
6. Asmir Begovic
Picture Credit: BBC
Nationality: Bosnian, CanadaTeams: Bournemouth, BosniaPosition: Goalkeeper
Football Story
Although he began his football career in Canada and earned a trial with Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur, allowing him the opportunity to become an international Goalkeeper, Asmir as a dual national decided to change and play for his homeland. His long career has seen him start in Portsmouth and move to Stoke city where he signed a 4 and ½ year contract. When that has ended, his most popular move was to Chelsea where £8 million was signed as part of the deal. Begović became the 5th goalkeeper to score a goal in the English Premier League with FC Chelsea, setting the world record for ‘longest goal scored in football.’
Last year, he moved to AFC Bournemouth and has shown impressive game playing. A tense game between his old team Chelsea V. Bournemouth saw 3-0 to Bournemouth, making Chelsea regret letting him go.
Born in a Muslim-Majority country he helped Bosnia qualify for the 2014 FIFA world cup, the first time Bosnia had ever qualified for the major football tournament.
7. Mohamed Salah
Picture Credit: The Liverpool Offside
Nationality: EgyptianTeams: Liverpool, EgyptPosition: Forward
Football Story
The internet and world recently exploded with sympathy and admiration for Mohamed Salah. Most fans claim he carried Egypt to the FIFA World Cup 2018. He is known to be a tactical player with good technique and an eye for goal, playing as Forward and Striker. He has definitely carried out his responsibilities for his team. His role in the UEFA champions league 2018 was huge, scoring a crazy amount of 32 goals. José Mourinho described Salah as “young, he's fast, he's creative, he's enthusiastic. When we analysed him he looks the kind of humble personality on the pitch, ready to work for the team.”
Salah is a practicing Muslim and often celebrates his goals with sujood, he has increased awareness of Islam in the English Northern town and his impact on Liverpudlians has been positive, some fans claiming they would convert to Islam if he continued to score. Internationally, he has been nicknamed “the Pharaoh” by fans and international media, his role as a leader can be seen through active regeneration projects in Nagrig, his hometown where a reported 65% of inhabitants live in poverty.
8. Mehdi Benatia
Picture Credit: The Independent
Nationality: French, MoroccanTeams: Juventus, MoroccoPosition: Centre Back
Football Story
His career began in Marseille and over the years he has moved around European teams, from Udinese to Roma, then Bayern Munich where he signed a 5 year contract, after the end of that he moved to the Italian Champions Juventus as a loan but his impressive game playing led to Juventus signing him on till 2020. Despite being Algerian and Moroccan, he chose to play for Morocco in 2008. His good technique, defensive ability and strong game-playing earned him the position of Captain. His goal against Ivory Coast showed his versatility as a player and also qualified Morocco to the 2018 FIFA World cup.
Mehdi Benatia often wished his followers on social media Eid Mubarak as well as other Muslim celebrations, furthermore whilst he was in Germany news broke out that he refused to hold a beer in a promotional shoot due to his faith.
9. Fahad Al-Muwallad
Picture Credit: Levante UD
Nationality: Saudi- ArabiaTeam: Al-Ittihad, Saudi ArabiaPosition: Winger
Football Story
His career started in Jeddah where he gained prominence and was approached by Barcelona but rejected to join Al Ittihad. Since this decision, he has stayed with them for 6 seasons and gained the title of most promising and fastest player in Asia. Internationally, he was named in Saudi Arabia’s squad for the 2018 FIFA world Cup, due to the failure of Saudi Arabia to score any goals in their group games, his performance has been considered a dissapointment. However, he has gained popularity on a wider scale.
Born Muslim he has expressed faith and his gratefulness to God in interviews which express his Islamic attitude. When he qualified for the World Cup he said, “Thanks to God for my first participation in La Liga,”.
10. Riyad Mahrez
Picture Credit: Sports Illustrated
Nationality: France, AlgerianTeams: Leicester City, AlgeriaPosition: Winger
Football Story
Mahrez has stated in an interview with The Guardian that after the death of his father, "I don't know if I started to be more serious but after the death of my dad things started to go for me. Maybe in my head, I wanted it more". His major break was joining Leicester City where his skills brought him attention, in total he has scored 83 goals throughout his career. Internationally, he chose to represent Algeria rather than France, a rare move amongst French-Algerian players, he assisted many goals as well as scoring the qualifier in the Africa Cup of Nations. Throughout his career he has won many awards as player of the year nationally and internationally.
Mahrez is a practicing muslim who performed Umrah in 2017, he also married a Punjabi Sikh who converted to Islam. They have a daughter named Inaya, an Arabic name that gives the meaning of grace and solitude....

Located in Stasted Mountfitchet, and about 48km from Central London is the Stansted International Airport. The Stansted International Airport is owned and run by the Manchester Airport groups, serving up to 170 destinations all over the world. On top of catering to international flights, the airport’s runway is also used by a number of private companies that provide private and chartered flights.
Due to its massive operations, the airport earned the prestige of being named the fourth busiest airport in United Kingdom, coming in line after The Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports.
The London Stansted airport comprises of one main passenger terminal with three passenger satellites which comprises of boarding gates to domestic and international flights. The main terminal of the airport is constructed in a unique way which features a “floating roof” with the support of a space frame that gives the appearance of a stylish swan in flight.
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Prayer Facilities
Picture Credit: www.stanstedairport.com
Although the Stansted International Airport lacks of a Muslim-only prayer facility, you will still be able to offer your prayers at a common prayer room which is open throughout the clock. There are two prayer rooms, one is located opposite Check-in Zone A and the other is located near the Escape lounge in the Departure area after you had gone through the security.
The prayer area also includes a washing facility for you to perform ablution before your prayer. Since it is a common prayer place, make sure to carry along a praying mat and a copy of the Al-Quran if required for your worshipping necessities.
Dining
Picture Credit: www.airport-business.com
When dining in the restaurants at the London Stansted Airport, I would recommend opting for vegetarian options rather than meat since most restaurants do not bear a halal certificate. I would recommend purchasing meals from internationally renowned brands at the airport such as Burger King, Starbucks, Costa and Itsu.
Itsu does offer a range of low calorie, low carb, seafood and salad based dishes. However, feel free to consult the staff before ordering your meal to verify if animal fats or such are comprised in your dish.
Shopping
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The London Stansted Airport will surely give you an amazing shopping experience. Whether it's your last minute shopping, or a calm shopping spree, you will be amazed by the deals that can only be found at the London Stansted Airport. You'll find products such as the latest gadgets, mobile accessories, cosmetics, toiletries and even gifts before you leave for your next destination! Be sure to spare some money for brands like Armani, Estee Lauder and even Apple.
The Escape Lounge
Picture Credit: www.stanstedairport.com
Take a break and keep yourself occupied before your next flight at the Stansted Airport’s Escape lounge located in the main departure lounge. You can either pre-book and guarantee your entrance to the lounge online at the airport website or simply pay and enter upon arrival. The opening hours of the lounge are from 4AM to 8.30PM, effective till the 31st of December 2018.
At the lounge, you'll find an array of meals. I recommend that you go full vegan at the Escape lounge since there are no sources found confirming if the food served is Halal-certified. When ordering your vegan-only meals, feel free to consult with the workers at the Escape lounge regarding the ingredients used in your vegan-only meals to confirm that it is purely vegetarian.
Apart from the food, the Escape lounge is also equipped with Wifi and television viewing facilities to keep you occupied. The lounge is equipped with printing and scanning facilities for your admin matters. Or you might just want to take a power nap and unwind comfortably at the Escape lounge before your flight.
The pre-book price to use the facility per person is £25. If you are travelling with an infant below two years of age, note that entrance is free for your infant, however please make sure to dial 0808 1697 031 to inform the personnel that you are bringing an infant.
If you are planning to travel in groups of over 6 people, you will need to obtain prior authorization before booking admittance to the Escape lounge. Simply call 0808 1697 031 between 9AM and 6PM daily to confirm your booking.
The Escape lounge welcomes passengers from any aircraft or airline.
Banking at the Airport
Picture Credit: www.stanstedairport.com
In order to facilitate your transactions in and out of London, Moneycorp is conveniently located at the Stansted airport to help you. Moneycorp operates six body offices at the Stansted airport for your convenience. You will be able to perform a variety of banking transactions including currency exchanges while obtaining competitive currency exchange rates of over 60 different currencies worldwide.
To make your travel experience even more convenient, you can order your travel money online prior to travelling, or you can also apply for the explorer multi-currency MasterCard to make travelling around the globe a much simpler task.
Furthermore, there are a number of ATMs located throughout the airport. Simply refer to the airport map or stop by the Information Desk to locate the nearest ATM. The ATMs also dispense cash in a number of different currencies including the Great Britain pound, the Euro, the US dollar, Czech Koruna and Polish Zloty.
Getting To and From the Airport
Buses and Coaches
You can book your coach from Looking4Transfers, taking you from the airport to a number of destinations all over the UK. The coaches provide a comfortable journey of maximum standards at very affordable prices.
Alternatively, you can also take the coach provided by the London National Express which offers transport between the airport to London, stopping at the city’s prominent locations such as the London Paddington, London Victoria and London Liverpool Street.
Train from the Airport
If you prefer to take the train to get your way in and out of the London Stansted Airport, it can be done with ease.
The Stansted Express offers the speediest transport to get you to and from the London Stansted Airport. Note that the train departs every 15 minutes and it takes just 47 minutes to get you from the airport to London Liverpool Street.
Alternatively, you can opt to take the direct train to the Stansted airport as well. Since the station is located directly underneath the airport you will have no issue. You can either purchase the tickets upon arrival or pre-book your tickets online, saving you a few dollars. The airport is well-equipped with ramps and elevators for visitors that have bulky luggages. The station is simply a 2 minutes walk from the airport terminal.
Taxi
If you prefer to book a taxi rather than using the public coach or train, you can do so at the airport reservation desk located in the international arrival concourse.
The recommended transport provider by the airport, 24x7, provides a very good service for its passengers 24 hours a day. For all the passengers who need special requirements such as wheel chair access or baggage accommodation please note that certain vehicles of the service provider are well equipped to cater to those needs. Simply make your booking as per your requirement at the reservation desk. The fare of the journey will be informed prior and you can make the payment at the counter using your debit or credit card or alternatively, you can also pay directly to the driver when you have reached your destination.
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Especially with the increase in Muslim millennial travellers, there is no doubt that the Muslim Travel Market is continuing to evolve due to new trends that are shaping and changing Halal travel. Muslims who love to travel and seek amazing, yet authentic travel experiences are well aware of the common issues that arise while they travel to certain destinations.
Looking at the results of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI 2018) by Mastercard-CrescentRating, some of the top non-OIC travel destinations have also recognised the rapid rise in Muslim travellers and are aiming towards improving Muslim-friendly travel. This latest report goes into detail on how the availability of Halal food, prayer facilities and other requirements can make destinations more Muslim-friendly. Most non-OIC destinations have higher scored than in the previous years, as they have started to understand the Muslim Travel Market better and improve their services accordingly.
So, if you are stuck wondering where you can have Muslim-friendly holidays, don’t miss out on these non-OIC destinations listed below.
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Singapore
With numerous options when it comes to Halal food, prayer facilities and even Halal-friendly hotels, it’s no surprise that Singapore is at the top of the list of Muslim-friendly holiday destinations for families and millennials. Not only is Singapore a popular shopping destination, but it’s also a great place to try out a variety of cuisines both local and international alike – and there are wonderful Halal food options available too. According to the GMTI 2018 report, Singapore is at the top of the list of destinations that create a supportive environment for Muslim travellers. Additionally, Singapore is within the top five destinations when it comes to good communication according to the report.
Thailand
Thailand also makes it to the list of top Muslim-friendly non-OIC destinations according to the GMTI 2018 report. You don’t need to postpone that exotic trip to Thailand just yet – Muslim travellers no longer have to struggle when it comes to locating Halal food, prayer facilities or mosques in Thailand. The city’s capital Bangkok has plenty of Halal restaurants where travellers can sample the excellent local cuisines and will also find many mosques as well. From breathtakingly beautiful islands framed by the turquoise ocean to the fascinating local culture, Thailand is undoubtedly an interesting place to visit.
United Kingdom
With a growing Muslim population, the United Kingdom is another destination to add to your travel list especially, if you are looking for Muslim-friendly cities in Europe. Muslim travellers will be able to find Halal restaurants and prayer facilities quite easily in most towns, and the United Kingdom has always been a popular travel destination. There are many interesting historical landmarks, attractions as well as famous places that you simply must not miss out on, and most main cities are just great for Halal holidays in Europe. Cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester just to name a few, are especially Muslim-friendly with a number of Muslims dwelling in these areas.
Japan
Japan is another fascinating destination that is worth visiting, and that makes it onto the list of Muslim-friendly non-OIC destinations. While most Muslim travellers will say that locating Halal food might be challenging, there has been an increase in the number of Halal restaurants in cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Kobe. Additionally, there has been a rise in Muslim-friendly facilities as well, due to the growth of the Muslim population, and including an increase in Muslim travellers to Japan. So,you can still enjoy Muslim-friendly holidays and take in the sights and sound of Japan.
Taiwan
Most Muslim visitors to Taiwan will face a few issues when it comes to locating Halal food or ensuring a Muslim-friendly experience, however, there is no need to reconsider your travel plans. The main city of Taipei has become much more Muslim-friendly with a small but growing Muslim population and there is an increase in Halal restaurants as well. When it comes to prayer facilities, travellers can visit the Taipei Grand Mosque which is a historical landmark, and the other option is the Taipei Cultural Mosque.
Hong Kong
There has been a noticeable rise in Muslim travellers to Hong Kong, which is on the list of top non-OIC destinations according to GMTI 2018. While Muslim travellers need to be aware that Halal restaurants or outlets are limited, the increase in Muslim travellers has prompted the need to create more Muslim-friendly options. Hong Kong’s Muslim population is growing as well, and that comes with an increase in Halal restaurants and Muslim-friendly facilities too. You will also find more Halal products in stores than in previous times.
South Africa
Despite being a non-OIC destination, South Africa has become a major favourite among Muslim travelers, especially Cape Town where there is significant Muslim population. It’s one of the more ideal holiday destinations for Muslim families with a very interesting culture and unique places for nature lovers too. Muslim travelers won’t face major issues when looking for prayer facilities or Halal restaurants especially in Cape Town and Johannesburg. But overall, Muslim travelers will be able to enjoy a Muslim-friendly holiday in South Africa.
Germany
Germany is another excellent place to visit, especially if you prefer to visit more Muslim-friendly cities in Europe, which will include Berlin, Dusseldorf and Munich to name a few. Germany has an intriguing history as well as many interesting sights and monuments – which are some great reasons to go on a Halal tour where you can learn more about this destination. Additionally, Muslim travellers will be able to locate mosques and places that serve Halal food quite easily since there is growing Muslim population in Germany. According to the GMTI 2018, Germany is in the top ten list of destinations that are more accessible.
France
France is another great non-OIC destination that you can add to your travel list, which is known for excellent cuisine, culture and interesting history. Referring to the GMTI 2018, this destination also falls in the top ten accessible countries. There are plenty of Halal restaurants in Paris due to the increasing Muslim population, and this is where you will get to sample a variety of international and local cuisines. Due to ethnic diversity, France has some of the mot Muslim-friendly cities in Europe and there will be no shortage of prayer facilities as there are several mosques in the main cities such as Paris and Lyon.s
Australia
Although Australia is a non-OIC destination, there is a great variety of Halal dining options around the country – especially in Sydney, Brisbane and Queensland. With the rise in Muslim travellers to the continent, there has been an increase in Muslim-friendly facilities and Halal restaurants too. There are plenty of interesting activities and amazing places to see in Australia, especially when it comes to wildlife. Mosques and prayer places are easily accessible in the main cities too. Australia is also one of the best holiday destinations for Muslim families as there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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After a long cold winter with heavy winds and several snow storms around the UK these past few months, finally the long overdue spring is around the corner! The temperatures start rising, and birds chirping can be gradually heard in every corner. It is now time for spring cleaning, and to start packing for the long-waited spring holiday to enjoy the warm weather and the refreshing, clean air. It is certainly the best time for all fellow global travellers to visit the UK in its most glorious season.
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There are indeed a lot of things that we can do and visit in the UK this spring holiday, whether you're travelling solo, or taking a journey with friends and family, which will ensure that you come back from your holiday with a refreshed mind and newfound energy. The following is a list of several activities that you can do this spring in the UK:
1. Adventure in the Wild
Picture Credit - Lili Lengkana, instagram.com/moonsilvershine/
Spring is a brilliant time to explore the natural beauty of the UK countryside. The nature holiday adventure is suitable for every traveller, and the bonus part is that it will rejuvenate your mind and body when you are back to your normal day routine. You have to be prepared for physical activities though, from walking, hiking, trekking, biking, camping, fishing or just merely embarking on a nature walk. You can choose any activity which suits you best.
Picture Credit - Lili Lengkana, instagram.com/moonsilvershine/
One way to enjoy spring in Britain by enjoying the blooming wild flowers that can be found in almost every corner of British countryside. Particularly, daffodils and bluebells are everyone’s favourite flowers this season; it is really exciting to see them in full bloom. For Daffodils, the best time to watch their magnificent beauty is in mid-March to April, whilst Bluebells show best their splendour in late April to early May. One interesting fact that might not be known by many: half of the world’s Bluebells grow here in the UK and, not just in the woods! The best spots to watch the beautiful blooming Bluebells are in the Lake District area, Bristol, Dartmoor and Gloucestershire. Click this link to find where to spot them!
Apart from wild flowers, watching and spotting wild animals in spring is also a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. This time around you will have a chance to see the Seabirds nesting. Around eight million Seabirds fly to the shores of Britain in Spring. It is indeed one of the greatest wildlife gatherings that you can watch on Britain’s shores; moreover, you get to spot whales and dolphins too if you're lucky, especially up north, in Scotland. Check the Britain’s nature news link if you want to do wild animal spotting.
If you prefer, animal spotting can also be done on land, where you can encounter many species of birds in the wild and also the tech-savvy Badgers. Have you ever seen Badgers in the wild? Badgers begin to come out of their hibernating holes in spring, so you could go to Devon in particular for a unique experience in spotting these cute and smart animals.
2. Flower Farm Visit
Picture Credit - Lili Lengkana, instagram.com/moonsilvershine/
Another nature activity that you can enjoy in the glorious British spring is to visit the many flowers farm sprawling all over Britain. One such farms, and also the most well-known type of flower farms, is the Lavender farm. There are several Lavender farms not far from London that you can visit from around June, up to August. The closest to London, yet highly recommended is the Mayfield Lavender Farm. Their 25 acre lavender farm with café and shop is located in Banstead (Woodmansterne), Surrey – approximately 15 miles from Central London. I suggest that you read their visit information carefully on how, when and where to go there. Click here to know their information for visitors.
If you can't wait until June, there is another famous Lavender farm worth visiting this Spring time, the Somerset Lavender Farm. Click here to find out where and how to go there. They will open the field this May to September, In shaa Allaah.
Apart from Lavender, the Rapeseed and Yellow Mustard flower will also be blooming all over the UK. Their farmers grow these flowers in such a way that they can even be seen to the left and right of motorways. So if you do intercity travel by car, bus or train you can see beautiful, lush yellow carpet-like flowers on either side of the roads or railway tracks, and the scenery is magnificent. However, you must be quick if you want to see these pretty views, as the best time to spot them are from early April to the end of May.
3. Royal Wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018
The love-hate relationship between the public and the UK Royal Family has always been a topic for the tabloids. Nevertheless, even though the Royal Family’s popularity may not be the same nowadays compared to the past, their news and activities still capture the attention of so many people around the world. Especially now in 2018: the next big event that will happen to the Royal Family is the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on 19 May 2018 at Windsor Castle.
In celebrating this event, the Royal Family invites the public to attend this special day, and the Windsor local council and Windsor residents have been preparing their city for the visitors who will come there. Now, if you fancy a fairytale-like wedding, this may be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a world-class Royal Wedding festivity. You will surely enjoy your visit to Windsor as well, since this city is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK. You can experience the grand history of England by visiting the Windsor Castle, which is one of three Royal Residences of Queen Elizabeth II (the other two being the Buckingham Palace in London and the Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh,) which are still being used, up till now. Note that admissions are charged in this castle. You can watch the famous Changing of the Guard daily routine at 11:00 here, up close. Apart from Windsor Castle, you can do punting and cruising the river around the city centre, and the whole family will love Legoland Windsor, too.
Now, if you want to experience this special royal event, you should book your travel and prepare everything promptly, since all hotels will be booked by visitors all over the world. Avoid booking one on the day itself. Click here to know more about it.
4. Outdoor Adrenaline
Picture Credit - Lili Lengkana, instagram.com/moonsilvershine/
Love the outdoors? Spring time is the best time for camping, climbing, hiking, trekking, mountain biking, kayaking, surfing and more in the United Kingdom. There are many places here to do these outdoor activities, but one place stands out from the others as you can do all these activities we mentioned in that one place. Can you guess where it is?
...
It's Wales.
Wales, the ultimate place for all you outdoor junkies out there! It has beautiful green scenery, towering mountains, as well as both sandy and rocky coastlines, so you can do all your outdoor activities there. In this site, you'll find the right place to do all the outdoor activities. Click here for their site - you'll see, they have it all!
One of the world-famous outdoor activities there is “coasteering”. Ever heard of coasteering? If you're an outdoor junkie, you'll love this one. Coasteering is a sport, the activity of exploring rocky coastlines by climbing the rocky cliff, jumping off into the sea, and swimming along the coastline. This outdoor activity has attracted many visitors to Wales. Indeed, Wales is in fact, the birth place of this new outdoor activity.
Picture Credit - Lili Lengkana, instagram.com/moonsilvershine/
The rocky coastlines in Wales make this one of the perfect activities there. One of the operators in Pembrokeshire, Wales is the pioneering entrepreneur behind this outdoor activity, and they have been instrumental in spreading this activity to other parts of the world such as Australia, Hong Kong and many other places that have the ideal coastal environment for coasteering. You can find out more about coasteering in Wales from the Wales Tourism Board website, click here.
Solath - A Reminder to Muslim Travellers
Picture Credit - instagram.com/placesyoullpray
A holiday is a fun and enjoyable time for the whole family, but as Muslims, we also strive to fulfill our duty to Allah and remember Him, and that includes praying (salah) to Him, every day.
If you're travelling to big cities in the UK such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, or other cities, you can surely find Masjid(s) there. Most airports, hospitals and universities in the UK also have prayer places, so finding a prayer space shouldn't be a problem. However, if you're travelling in small towns or countryside, then this noble hadith above surely gives us useful guidance to fulfil our obligations:
It was reported by the Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), 'The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The entire Earth has been made a place of prayer except for the graveyards and the toilet.”' (Sunah At-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 317 – Sahih).
What this noble hadith informs us, is that Allah has made it easy for us to fulfil this duty by making the whole earth as a Masjid for us. We can offer our salah anywhere on the earth, even if there is no Masjid or specified prayer place/prayer room. You can pray in your hotel, the parking lot, airport, train station, mountain, beach, park or any other places, as long as it's clean, and not places such as toilets (that is, when and where people answer the call of nature,) and graveyards.
So, my tip to be able to offer prayers are: (1) make sure that you have a bottle of water for ablution (wudhu’), a small prayer mat and a prayer compass app in your mobile app with you at all times; (2) find a clean, quiet and secluded place in any place (forest/woods, parking lot, corner of the building, hidden spot in the park, etc) to offer your prayer.
Moreover, there are concessions for us as a traveller that will make it easier for us to offer our salah during our journey, as long as we can fulfil the condition of a traveller in fiqh. For more on the fiqh of travel, we recommend that you consult a reliable scholar in your locality who will be able to teach you the fine details of travel fiqh according to the madhhab of your region.
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